Speed cameras to make Dubai streets safer?

A scheme that will see more speed cameras installed along Dubai's streets could make the emirate's highways and streets safer for those who live in the city.Emirates 24/7 reports that decision-makers are planning to have 127 of these devices fitted at strategic points around the urban zone over the course of the next 18 months.This move comes as part of the emirate's long-term initiative to reduce the number of accidents on Dubai's roads and attain its target for zero fatalities along these streets, according to traffic police chief Major General Mohammed Saif Al Zafin.Speaking to the semi-official daily publication Al Ittihad, Mr Al Zafin said: "The installation of the new cameras is part of the emirate's traffic safety strategy aimed at achieving zero deaths per 100,000 people by 2020."The new influx of fixtures will account for nearly one-third (32 per cent) of the total number of traffic police recorders already in operation in the bustling business and tourism hubs.This includes 35 mobile cameras, nearly 300 fixed speed cameras, six road detection devices and 156 signal gadgets, in addition to traffic signal cameras.Mr Al Zafin is optimistic about the investment and installation of the new road safety features."[The] installation of speed cameras result in most cases in reduction of speed on roads to reasonable levels and this helps curb accidents," he said.As to how the positioning of these devices is decided upon, the traffic police chief explained their location would be determined by a number of factors.He revealed matters such as indicators for areas that witness more offences and accidents than others will be used to choose where best to put the new cameras.Furthermore, traffic police will be regularly reviewing the speed limits on the streets of Dubai to see if current regulations are ensuring pedestrians, passengers and drivers are safe.The results of a recent study by the medical faculty at UAE University published by 7 Days in Dubai found speeding and not wearing a seatbelt are the main reasons for the region's above-average rate of road accident injuries.